Racine Statement on Vermont Yankee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 4, 2010

CONTACT:
Amy Shollenberger
802-793-1114
amy@dougracine.com

(MONTPELIER, VT) – The continuing news of more trititum leaks and the ongoing issue of Vermont Yankee officials lying to Vermonters further reinforces my commitment to vote to shut down this aging nuclear power plant when its license expires in 2012. I was disappointed that Jim Douglas and Brian Dubie want to call a “time-out” to give Entergy the time to mount a public relations campaign to regain the confidence of Vermonters before a vote is held in the legislature. I think this is just plain wrong. Vermonters deserve better.

I’ve known what my vote will be for a long time, and I’m ready to vote to shut the plant down in 2012. I’m waiting for the leadership to bring this issue to the Senate floor. I am also ready to lead Vermont into a green energy future as governor. We must focus our efforts on conservation, efficiency, and local and regional sources of renewable power.

We need to put Vermonters first in this conversation. My continuing concern is that we not put off the cost of decommissioning and nuclear waste storage to future generations. The current problems of the plant only reinforce these concerns.

We must decide now to shut the plant down in 2012, work to find a way to deal with the waste, and make sure Entergy pays for decommissioning.

Doug Racine’s Position on Vermont Yankee and our energy future can be found here.